Positive Relationships Between Public Awareness Activity and Recognition of the Impacts of Depression in Australia

Nicole J. Highet · Georgina M. Luscombe · Tracey A Davenport · Jane M. Burns · Ian Bernard Hickie

75 citations0/0 files storedAustralian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

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Mental Health Treatment and Access Suicide and Self-Harm Studies Media Influence and Health

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This report records the level of exposure to depression-related information across the Australian community and explores associations with recognition of depression and relevant sociodemographic factors. METHOD: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted with a representative community sample. Participants consisted of 3200 respondents (400 respondents across each Australian State/Territory). RESULTS: Sixty-five point four per cent (n=2089/3193) of respondents indicated that they or someone close to them had experienced depression, of whom 18.7% (n=391/2089) reported a personal experience of this illness. Various measures of recent exposure to depression-related information were high with 69.0% (n=2207/3200) reporting that they had seen, read or heard something in the media in the last 12 months. Recognition of beyondblue: the national depression initiative was also surprisingly high (61.9%, 1982/3200). Those with greater understanding that depression is common and debilitating were more likely to recall recent media stories, spontaneously recall relevant organizations such as beyondblue, to have had direct or family experiences, to be younger and to have achieved higher levels of education. Depression, however, is rarely mentioned (1.3%, 47/3720) as a major general health as distinct from a mental health problem. CONCLUSION: The active promotion of depression-related material to the community appears to have contributed to recognition of the commonality and impacts of this illness. Although depression is commonly recognized as a mental health problem, it is not yet considered a major general health problem. Further, like many public health campaigns, those initially reached appear more likely to be female, younger, better educated and residing in metropolitan areas.

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2010Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2005The Impact of Beyondblue: The National Depression Initiative on the Australian Public's Recognition of Depression and Beliefs About Treatments 2005The Public's Ability to Recognize Mental Disorders and their Beliefs about Treatment: Changes in Australia Over 8 Years 2002Exploring the perspectives of people whose lives have been affected by depression 2002Monitoring awareness of and attitudes to depression in Australia

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